Address environmental issues with an understanding of the law
If you have an interest in law and a passion for the environment, this dual program is for you. Upon graduation you'll be prepared for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia and have the practical skills and tools required for immediate entry into an environmental management career.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
- ^ It is recommended that students planning to study part-time apply for the Bachelor of Laws rather than a double degree.
- ^ It is recommended that students planning to study part-time apply for the Bachelor of Laws rather than a double degree.
If you have an interest in law and a passion for the environment, this dual program is for you. Upon graduation you'll be prepared for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia and have the practical skills and tools required for immediate entry into an environmental management career.
Through the law component of this program, you'll engage in active learning experiences and gain practical skills right from your first year. You will observe volunteer lawyers conducting client interviews at the Suncoast Community Legal Service. You will research answers to legal problems, prepare advice, present legal argument, observe court proceedings and take part in simulated court presentations in our new Moot Court venue.
Environmental management field work activities will see you travelling to locations such as Fraser Island and the Noosa Biosphere. Learn to minimise human impacts on the environment, manage resources sustainably, and conserve and restore habitats, biodiversity and ecosystem services. With a strong focus on tropical and subtropical environments and peri-urban areas, making it highly relevant to our region as well as your job prospects. In addition, you can specialise with a range of minors such as coastal and marine environments, climate change adaptation, planning studies, environmental health, geospatial analysis and environmental geography.
Law Honours is available, usually without extending the time required to complete your degree.
Career opportunities
Careers in the field of environmental management are diverse and include opportunities at local, state, national and international levels, in industry, government, conservation, and research organisations. These include environmental assessment and protection (air, water, land), natural resource management, ecosystem conservation and restoration, sustainable procurement and corporate stewardship, communications and public awareness, environmental education, policy and legislation development, international negotiations, and research and development of environmental technologies.
Law graduates have opportunities as solicitor, barrister, government legal officer, judge's associate, law academic, corporate counsel, business and public sector administration and policy development.
Membership
The Law degree is an approved academic qualification for admission to the legal profession. After graduating you must undertake a further period of practical legal training before being admitted as a legal practitioner.
On graduation you can apply to become Associate Member of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ) while you acquire relevant work experience. You can apply for Full Membership in EIANZ after you acquired two years of professional experience in one or more functional areas of environmental practice.
Program structure
USC Law School courses
Introductory courses (5) 60 units
COR109 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
LAW101 Software Development 1
LAW102 Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics
LAW103 Numerical Analysis
LAW104 Professional Learning: Inclusivity and Diversity
Developing and Graduate courses (20) 240 units
14 required courses (168 units):
LAW201 Professional Learning: Professional Engagement
LAW202 Environmental and Resource Economics
LAW203 Aquaculture
LAW204 Science Research Methods
LAW205 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
LAW206 Applied Systems Modelling
LAW301 Epidemiology and Biostatistics
LAW302 E-Learning Leader
LAW303 Learning for Sustainability in Schools
LAW304 Internship
LAW401 Human Development and Early Learning
LAW402 Learning Choices
LAW403 Vocational Education and Training: Learning Engagement
LAW404 Teaching Reading and Writing in the Early Years
PLUS select 6 elective courses (72 units) from:
LAW307 Mathematics Education for Early Learners
LAW310
LAW311 Contexts of Disability and Differences
LAW312 Communication and Thought
LAW313 Foundations of Australian Law A
LAW315 Foundations of Australian Law B
LAW318 Criminal Law and Procedure A
LAW405 Criminal Law and Procedure B
LAW406 Torts A
LAW407 Torts B
LAW408 Contracts A
LAW409 Contracts B
LAW410 Property A
LAW411 Property B
LAW412 Constitutional Law
LAW414 Equity & Trusts
LAW415 Corporations Law
LAW416 Civil Procedure
LAW417 Administrative Law
LAW418 Professional Conduct
LAW419 Evidence
LAW420 Regulation
The following 2 elective courses (24 units) are only available to students who have been accepted into honours in Law:
LAW440 Commercial Law
LAW441 Children & the Law
Please note: Semester offerings for Law elective courses are subject to change and are dependent on student demand. For more information on elective availability please contact your Program Coordinator.
School of Science and Engineering courses
Introductory courses (4) 48 units
ENS120 Law Professional Practice
ENS103 Competition and Consumer Law
SCI102 Building & Construction Law
SCI110 Indigenous Legal Issues
Developing and Graduate courses (11) 132 units
ENP211 Advocacy
ENS223 Alternative Dispute Resolution
ENS221 Environment & Planning Law
ENS222 Elder Law and Succession
ENS253 Intellectual Property
ENS300 Taxation
ENS351 Public International Law
GEO310 Private International Law
SUS201 Human Rights Law
SUS202 Legal Internship
PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
SRP301 Sports Law
WPL310 Transnational Legal Issues and Comparative Law
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 480
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 480 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 15 introductory level (100 coded) courses (180 units) in total, including the core course
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- Semester offerings for Law elective courses are subject to change and are dependent on student demand. For more information on elective availability please contact your Program Coordinator
- Honours in Law available for high performing students
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
- Apply for your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)